No Olympic's for Chicago
 

That is a bummer. My brother-in-law has been out of work since January and had a prospective job if they got it. He is a civil engineer and they would have had more work than they know what to do with.

My family was from Chicago and I hear that although the politicians wanted it, the citizens did not.

Has anyone here ever been to the Olympic's?

Yes, the Summer Olympics were here in Atlanta in 1996. For me it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Plus....there was the bombing in Centennial Olympic Park. Especially now, with all the terrorist threats looming, I don't think I'd want it to be in my town or even state. Just my opinion.

I hadn't heard that, Earl.

Back in 2002 I lived only 2.5 hours from the Winter Olympics here in Utah, but never went. I should have, but just didn't want to deal with the crowds. Also, the tickets to events were pretty pricey IF you could snag one.

Still, wish I would have at least driven up there to experience all the hoopla.

This did not surprise me one iota; I thought the notion was ridiculous on its face. There isn't even enough room for the residents, let alone thousands upon thousands of foreign and domestic tourists. I think Obama just wanted to take another trip.

Nope, never have been to one, I don't think I would go anyway, the TV coverage is a way better view.

Amen! The crowds were awful and people can be so rude.....especially when they've paid alot of $$ to be somewhere and feel like they should be given top priority. :rolleyes: They don't seem to realize that some of us live here.

Television coverage is wonderful......you get a front row seat, no obnoxious people around you (well, depends on your family, I guess!:o:p) and no crowds! I'll never go to another one.

yes! I have been to the olympics both here and abroad. Its a CROWDED! messy afair.

one of the reasons America was in such bad standing is that the crowds that want to come to America to watch the games, have a hard time with passports, visa's and other qualifications to get across the border.

I know it would have brought some revitilization, but I am kinda glad its elsewhere. it puts a terrible strain on many places to prepare for the event, and while end it does wash out, and many folks make a great deal of money, and benefit from the updates to prepare, it can be a daunting experience at best.

Well, I have to say I am one of those not disappointed by our loss. Yes, many jobs would have been created but Chicago was not ready. We are in trouble over here just like everyone else.

What I really want to know is why so many are up in arms over Rio and how much crime they have? There is at least one child each week being shot, beat up and/or killed around Chicago. I wont even go to Chicago after dark, certain places. I grew up in Chicago, then later Cicero, you learn the places to avoid.

It is a beautiful city, I agree and yes maybe it would have brought more revenue but at who's cost? Just because our president is from here doesn't mean we should have won. I think many people counted their eggs too soon. :wink:

It's over, we lost, end of story. lol

It may have brought jobs and lots of money to the area for the years leading up to it so it is always a shame not to host an Olympic event. I was listening to the news and one of the on site broadcasters said the presentation lacked any vigor to sell to the committee.

Still, it would have been nice. Phoenix hosted the Superbowl and it was a definite job and money maker.

Rio had a good plan. It is true that that area of the world has not been a host, up until now.

I watched the presentation. (FoxNews preempted Red Eye for the presentation...that was annoying)

It was boring, the people they had speaking, and the video presentations they used were not...very convincing. No one speaking (including the Obamas) seemed to really use a lot of enthusiasm in their voice. Everything was bland and boring. (Watching Red Eye would have been much more entertaining)

I'm actually glad that Rio got picked. South America has never had a country host the Olympics. It's about time they got a chance.

Besides, just about every city that's hosted the Olympics in the past 30 years has gone into serious debt and way over their budgets building everything for the games. (I think the only exception was in Utah, but they still had a huge financial scandal for that one tho, if I remember right...)

Nope! I didn't go to the 2000 Sydney Olympics even though we lived close enough to make it possible.

I have a big aversion to crowds but even so, I was sure we'd see much more on TV... in the comfort of our own homes... for free.... and I was right.

I guess it would be nice to say you'd been to the Olympics but lets be honest, if you lived close enough, and had the money to pay to go ......... just how many events would you see? One? Three? Five?

No... I think I'd rather stay home and watch them all on the tele.

Jay Leno had a great joke last night about this. He said "Why are you surprised? Chicago NEVER wins in October" (referring to the Cub's)

I was originally against us getting the Olympic bid, but I know that it would have created jobs, and I believe the Olympics is the only international venue where countries come together for a peaceful event...the vibes are supposed to be wonderful.
It would have been great for the surrounding suburbs, too, because we have good infrastructure with highways/trains. Visitors could have stayed 30 miles away and been downtown within an hour on the train.
But when I think of the possibility of a terrorist attack, it scares me, so in a way I'm kind of relieved that we lost. But it still sucks...the news reports blame the US Olympic committee and the problems they have with the IOC; the chicago plan was rated as excellent...
So, we again lick our wounds and wait til next year...always a Cubs fan, no matter how humiliating it gets.:rolleyes:

I was to a World's Fair in the 60s, but never had the desire to view an Olympics, up close and personal..:eek:

Rio is a beautiful and fascinating city. They host the samba competitions every year and also Carnaval, so they are used to big crowds.

Of course, hosting the Olympics will involve lots of venues to be built, but I think they can handle it. But their transportation isn't up to par. However, if you've got lots of money (like the folks who live on the Beach of Ipanema), you have a helicopter to transport you up and over the congestion of the roads.


Erin, I'm not sure if Utah made money on the Olympics, but a news report said that Los Angeles did make a few million several years ago.


A tidbit of trivia: in Rio, they pronounce the name of their city as "Hio." So their R's are pronounced as H's, which makes my name "Hoshelly". True story. ;)

Obama was right to go - it took what, about 5 hours out of his schedule? Had he not, people would have criticized him for not making a bid. I'm not sad we didn't get it though. It's ABOUT TIME we held the Olympics in South America, :) :)

I disagree. Obama has much more to worry about than the olmypics. he ate up alot of tax payer money to get there, and alot of tax payer money to get home.

Now here, it makes sense to agree to disagree. It's your opinion and you're entitled to it.

Some people - generally the same people each time - will find fault with absolutely everything this president does no matter what he does. I'm getting very used to it and it doesn't surprise me any more. ;) We're cool.

That said, I'm excited about Rio. I kinda want to go!!!

I hope that wasnt pointed at me. I have found many wonderful things that the man has promised to do, and agree with many other things that were started. I hope I have been able to present both sides to the coin, and be able to state my opinion, or fears, or hopes without fear of sniper fire, or snide comments. As I work hard to see what is on the other side of the fence, I am hoping others are doing the same.


I am glad Rio got the games.

Honestly it kind of was partially directed at you and for that I owe you an apology. I was looking at things a little one-sided. Seriously. Please forgive me?

becca44

Ro, I sincerely hope this doesn't mean I have to start calling you "Ho"..I don't think I can bring myself to do that..:eek:

All the heads of state were there to ask for the games to be in their country.

Time is not wasted, Airforce 1 is a flying office.

This was a no win situation in a way. If he had not gone, there would be some to say,

"Well, if the President had gone, Chicago would have been a shoe-in."

The sad part is any American celebration about losing the bid. I saw a clip of Americans cheering as if losing was a loss for our President. It goes against everything I stand for being a native.

The line is crossed when that happens.

Hi everyone

a couple of posts are turning a thread about sport into something political and, as can clearly be seen, that is when feathers start ruffling and we start getting reported posts:rolleyes:

I am sincerely asking all to please read their post before hitting that submit button and self edit before posting politically here

it has sadly reached the point where this is happening way too often and so we may have to start closing some threads as soon as they open, in anticipation of things turning political. That really isnt what we want to do. We dont like having to ever edit or delete or close. We like having an atmosphere where mods are not needed. But when reports come in to us we have to act.

so please pretty please give us a break and keep politics off this forum:o

thanks
:grouphug:

Thank you. Apology accepted.

This next part is not aimed directly at you, but I felt it needed to be said.


Just because I have a different view on some things doesnt mean I dont understand, or need to be enlightened. I have been a life long democrat until this past election. I have the right to be afraid, and want my president to be at home, working on healthcare, the economy, the homeless, the unemployment issues, and not cost us even more money by flying off to see about a game. I am not the one who introduced the "O" word into the thread, but felt the need to provide a view from the other side of the fence.

btw, its hard to see the other side of the fence when you have to be in a defensive stance while trying to see what the other side if talking about.

Thank you for the apology. I am now backing away from this thread, as IMHO it has turned the corner, and people are starting to smack at each other. I dont want to see my sisters peck at each other. I want to see my sisters work to be tolerant of, and understanding of each other and the different life experiences, and points of view that all bring to the table, without fear of being attacked, or slapped at just because we may happen to believe differently, or not understand. As my momma used to say, you can catch more flies with honey, than vinegar. altho why my momma wanted flies is beyond me.

Enjoy your thread. I am out. :hug:

:Sigh:

I guess my post above just didnt work even with the pretty please:o

locking this thread now as it seems the political and personal comments just cant be left out

sorry